At the end of its first season, Deep Space Nine really began to
take on the form that would define the series. The writers wanted
to follow up the powerful “Duet” with something even better, even
more layered. To do this, they brought together the Federation’s
scientific approach to the world and the Bajorans’ religious one.
The clash of philosophies tells us a lot about our own world as
well as Gene Roddenberry’s vision for Star Trek. And it introduced
us to one of Star Trek’s great villains.

In this episode of The Ready Room, we’re joined by Will Nguyen,
Mike Morrison, and Ken Tripp to discuss DS9’s first-season finale,
“In the Hands of the Prophets,” the introduction of Winn and
Bareil, handling religion on Star Trek, Keiko the grumpy, Sisko the
mediator, and much more.

In our news segment, we discuss the comments of Paramount’s
Motion Picture Group president Marc Evan about a possible grittier
future for Star Trek, and Dayton Ward’s upcoming travel guide that
will get you ready for your visit to Vulcan.